'Hybrid' in Roden

The Syrène Saxophone Quartet, consisting of Femke IJlstra, Femke Steketee, Marrich Noordmans, and Aukelien Kleinpenning, will bring the world premiere of Sipke Hoekstra’s first Quartet for Saxophones to De Winsinghhof in Roden. During their performance Noorderwind, they will also play music by the former Groningen composer Jacob ter Veldhuis, among others.

The Syrène Saxophone Quartet is made up of four women who named themselves after the Sirens from Homer’s Odyssey—sea goddesses who lured sailors with their enchanting songs. With their music, Syrène seeks to captivate the listener and bring classical saxophone music to a diverse audience. Their energy, quality, and strong stage communication make them a favorite among audiences.

The quartet has performed on all the major concert stages in the Netherlands and many international venues. Their motto, “fresh-sweet & strong,” captures their essence: bold, refined, and highly talented.
Syrène considers the saxophone quartet an essential ensemble within classical music, comparable to the string quartet. Given that the saxophone is a relatively young instrument, its repertoire remains limited—especially compared to string quartets. Therefore, Syrène takes pride in commissioning new music, collaborating with composers to expand the repertoire.

Program for Noorderwind
Saxophone Quartet No. 1 (1983/84) – Henk Alkema (1944-2011)
World premiere: Quartet for Saxophones (2024) – Sipke Hoekstra (1976)
The Waves (2018) – Jacob ter Veldhuis (1951)
Hybrid (2022) – Arend Gerds (1987)
Noorderwind will be performed on Sunday, April 6, at 14:00.